Monday, 25 July 2016

I do quite a lot of work for the Ministry of Stories which is a charity that encourages kids to write and nurtures their creativity. I often live illustrate for the Little Green Pig here in Brighton while the children yell story ideas at me to draw - it's great fun.

Recently the Ministry of Stories got together with pen makers BIC to produce the country's first hand written newspaper which was promoted as #JustWrite Day.

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

After an interview with a company that seemed like a great match for me they asked for me to do an art test. Normally I'd say no, especially after my previous art test debacle with that company in Denmark. But they seemed nice and I loved what they were doing - still do but don't agree with the art test. This wouldn't happen in any other industry. My work is clearly on display so they are aware of what I do. A much fairer way is to pay for a week's work. Then the applicant doesn't waste their time for nothing and the employer gets to see how they applicant works and fits in with the company.

I didn't even get any feedback, reply, thanks for spending time doing this just a vague explanation from a recruitment agency that I wasn't a fit at this time.

So I urge you fellow artists - put your foot down and say NO to art tests. Together we can stop this.

That said I'm really pleased with how this My Little Pony licensing work turned out.

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Just before Christmas I got an email from a PR agency asking if I would like to enter a promotional competition to have ago with a major UK toy company's 3D plastic 'pen'. It sounded good and the prize money was decent. So I agreed to enter, the PR company sent me the pens and I was off.

After a shaky start I managed to come up with the models below and as per instructions sent the PR agency photos and videos of my creations.

Despite being the agency's favourite I didn't win so that was that. Fair enough.

But the other week the agency got in touch asking if they could display my entries at the company's booth at the UK Toy Fair. There was no mention of payment or even paying for postage. I explained that they're welcome to them as they're just sitting in the shed but they'd have to pay for them. They graciously said I'd have my name on them but still no mention of sweet cash. After a few emails back and forth with me explaining that I spent quite a bit of time on them and this is my job and this is how much I'd like from them the communication from their end ceased. I'm not surprised just disappointed. It's a shame that this seems to be the norm in the design world.
Here they are all heavily watermarked to hammer home my 'nothing for free' point for your viewing pleasure.

Check out my website.

If you like kittens suffering you'll love my other blog.

About Me

Being the illustrator extraordinaire and wondrous wordsmith that I am, I will endeavor to entertain you through the pages of this blog. I am still not sure if there will be any point to my ramblings but I feel that it has to be done so I am doing it. May God have mercy on all our adorable souls.